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Replacement
rocker cover gaskets
Graham Cornford (Tundra 0805) in Texas posted a query on
the V8 Bulletin Board concerning how to fit a replacement rocker
cover gasket on a Factory MGBGTV8. (Mar
11)
Graham's query was - I have recently removed the valve covers
on my V8. Admittedly, they had not been off for some years,
were stuck fast, and the gaskets were rock hard, but disintegrated
whilst being removed I
have obtained a replacement rubber gasket, which is advertised
to be a better alternative to the cork type. One advantage is
that there is a torque restriction ferrule at each screw hole
to prevent over tightening. A disadvantage, and here ignorance
plays it's part, is that there are no fitting instructions.
With the cork gasket it was easy in that it sat against the
ridge on the inside lower edge of the valve cover. The rubber
one, when the screw holes in the cover and gasket are lined
up, is exactly the profile of the outside edge of the rocker
box, so it must be fitted, butting up against the lower edge
of the rocker box. The problem being that one side of the gasket
is flat and the other has a channel approx 1/8" x 1/8"
cut out of it all the way round, starting about an 1/8"
in from the outside edge.
My questions are.
1. Flat side or channel side against the rocker Box.
2. Does it matter which way round?
3. Should there be any sealant at all, Rocker box to gasket,
and gasket to head?
4. If so, what type?
My logic tells me that it is flat side up to rocker box and
no sealant as it would make it extremely difficult to butt it
up to the box and the head as it would be too slippery to locate
it accurately. But I could be wrong! Any help or advice would
be greatly appreciated.
Bill McCullough has two MGBV8 conversions looked up Graham's
telephone number using the member only search facilties on the
V8 website (update: no longer available with GDPR) and replied
"Following our telephone conversation, the earlier cork
gaskets are attached to the rocker cover with adhesive. The
later rubber renewable gaskets use no adhesive and are
simply fitted to the rocker cover with the edge of the rocker
cover bedded into the peripheral 1/8" recess you refer
to. The rubber gskets are designed to replace the cork gaskets
in all apllications of the V8. (Land Rover Publication LRL 0164
ENG).
In
the real world the initial installation of the rubber gaskets
onto clean dry rocker cover 'usually' produces a sufficiently
tight grip enabling the cover top be installed without the rubber
gasket falling off. Subsequent removal of the rocker cover produces
an oil mist lubricated rocker box and rubber gasket, the gasket
resolutely refuses to grip the rocker cover at this stage, and
from my experience its the fiddling about when attempting to
line up the rocker cover/ the rubber gasket/and the cylinder
head threads, that can displace the metal ferrule. In these
situations I wipe the rubber gasket with a petrol laden rag
and likewise clean the rocker cover. I then apply eight spots
of super glue gel around the periphery of the gasket in the
1/8" recess, then settle the rocker cover onto the gasket.
This enables you to look down the holes in the rocker box and
physically see everything lined up before you insert the four
screws. The actual compression of the rubber between the rocker
cover and the cylinder head takes place inboard of the recess,
and ensures that adhesive cannot trespass beyond that point.
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Replacement
rubber rocker cover gasket with the lip and metal inserts
to resist overtightening. (Photo: Steve Newton)
I am surprised that you are experiencing a problem with the
dimensions of the rubber gaskets, the lip on the rocker cover
and the recess in the gasket should be a perfect match - if
you need to stretch the gasket to match the rocker box proportions,
I can only suggest the gaskets are defective. Sorry to be
so long winded, hope this helps."
It is also worth mentioning the original "V8 Engine Overhaul
Manual" Publication Part No. RCL published by Rover Group
Limited in 1996 was replaced by "V8 Petrol Engines Overhaul
Manuals" LRL0164 and LRL 0004 by Land Rover UK Limited
in 1997 and 1998. Page 4 from the latter publications is reproduced
above with advice on fitting a rubber rocker cover gasket.
Victor Smith followed up saying "I spoke with
Steve Newton at Clive Wheatley mgv8parts who clarified the
rocker covers for the Factory MGBGTV8 are different to those
used on the RV8 and the Rover SD1 engines. The rocker covers
are squarer in shape on those cars." As for the gaskets
Steve clarified:
Factory MGBGTV8 - although a cork gasket was used originally,
a plain rubber rocker cover gasket is available now as the
replacement part. It does not need an adhesive as the original
engine repair manuals recommended for the earlier cork gaskets
but Steve says he applies just a few dabs of silicone sealer,
very sparingly, and then lets it dry off so it will hold the
gasket in place whilst the rocker cover is positioned over
the gasket and then carefully tightened up. Steve says take
care not to overtighten the rocker cover so the rubber gasket
distorts.
RV8 - although a cork gasket was used originally on
the RV8, a rubber rocker cover gasket is available now as
a replacement. The profile of this gasket is different to
that for the Factory MGBGTV8 in that it has a lip plus metal
inserts to stop overtightening on the gasket.
Steve has offered to take photos of each gasket and send them
to the V8 Webmaster so he could produce and publish an information
sheet on the V8 website - and of course add it to the two
workshop notes series as part of the information resource
for fellow members. Later Steve produced a set of photos and
added Clive Wheatley mgv8parts have the correct rocker cover
gaskets for each model - the Factory MGBGTV8, the SD1 V8 engine
used for many MGBV8 conversions and for the RV8. Most of their
gaskets are remade for them by gasket specialists in the West
Midlands.
An information sheet is available on the V8 Website.
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